Keep Up With Him

"I'm here~"

Fu Nanzhi skipped over and hopped in front of Shen Yi's car.

She spun around in place to show off her outfit before asking Shen Yi,

"So, how do I look?"

Shen Yi gave her a thumbs-up and praised,

"Absolutely stunning. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you in casual clothes—I’m almost not used to it."

"Hehehe..."

Fu Nanzhi covered her mouth, giggling, then opened the car door and climbed in.

"These were all bought ages ago."

"If it weren’t for this trip back home, I’d have forgotten I even had these clothes..."

As she fastened her seatbelt, she asked,

"Where are we eating?"

Shen Yi had already given it some thought and replied,

"How about that place next to Bojing Garden?"

"Which one?"

Then Fu Nanzhi suddenly remembered,

"Oh... I know which one you mean. Let’s go there."

Shen Yi was referring to a private kitchen they used to frequent in their past life, known for its excellent flavors.

This was their first time visiting in this lifetime. When the dishes arrived, Fu Nanzhi took a bite and was hit with a wave of nostalgia—the taste was just as she remembered.

Before long, they finished their meal and stepped out to the car.

Fu Nanzhi turned on the navigation, preparing to head to their next destination, Songping Lake, as originally planned.

The drive would normally take about forty minutes, but with rush-hour traffic, the car moved sluggishly.

Shen Yi came to a stop at a red light, joining the long line of vehicles.

Just then, his phone lit up. He glanced down to see who had messaged him.

...

Shu Yunyi had spent the afternoon at home, taking care of some work.

"Hmm..."

Pulling herself out of her focused state, she stood up from her desk.

Stretching, she rubbed her stiff neck and rolled her shoulders.

After loosening up, she walked to the window and noticed the sun was nearly set.

She picked up her phone and called her mother.

"Hey, Mom, I’m coming over for dinner tonight."

"School? Everything’s fine there."

"Yeah, yeah. Okay."

After hanging up, Shu Yunyi grabbed her bag and headed out.

She took a taxi to Shangyang and walked into the neighborhood.

When she opened the door, Qin Fangli was already preparing dinner. Knowing her daughter was coming, she had gone all out.

Hearing the door, she turned with a bright smile.

"You’re back! Dinner’s almost ready."

"Go rest for a bit."

"Mm."

Shu Yunyi leaned against the kitchen doorway and said,

"I’m not tired."

She watched her mother quietly. Qin Fangli was now in her fifties, the first signs of aging beginning to show.

But compared to her frail final years in their past life, she was in much better shape now.

Shu Yunyi knew her mother had few worries left—her only concern was her.

Seeing her get married and have children was Qin Fangli’s greatest wish.

Her hair was streaked with gray, her face lined with wrinkles, a far cry from the beauty she once was.

For the first time, Shu Yunyi studied her mother closely, her throat tightening with emotion.

Suddenly, she called out,

"Mom."

Qin Fangli turned her head, puzzled.

"What is it?"

Shu Yunyi hesitated before saying,

"It’s... nothing. Just wanted to tell you I’m seeing someone."

"Seeing someone?"

Qin Fangli set down the empty plate in her hands and turned fully, her eyes lighting up with joy.

"Really? Since when?"

Shu Yunyi leaned against the doorframe, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Just recently."

"That’s wonderful, just wonderful."

Qin Fangli wiped her damp hands and clasped them together, overjoyed.

Her only worry had been her daughter. Seeing her finally move on was already a blessing.

Now, hearing she had a boyfriend was more than she could’ve hoped for.

Qin Fangli pressed further,

"Where’s he from? How old is he? What’s he like?"

Patiently, Shu Yunyi answered each question.

"He’s also in Jingyuan. He’s got a great personality."

"As for age, he’s younger than me."

Qin Fangli listened intently, nodding along.

At Shu Yunyi’s age and with her temperament, Qin Fangli had feared she might stay single forever. She wouldn’t be around to take care of her much longer.

She often dreamed about what would happen to Shu Yunyi after she was gone.

Now, she wasn’t about to nitpick—as long as her daughter was happy, nothing else mattered.

"Be good to each other," Qin Fangli could only repeat.

"Mm."

Shu Yunyi smiled and added,

"I’ll bring him to meet you when I get the chance."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Qin Fangli beamed before turning back to the stove.

That evening, mother and daughter shared a happy dinner, chatting about many things.

After helping clear the table, Shu Yunyi stepped out for a walk.

She hadn’t exercised in the past few days, so with time to spare, she decided to go for a jog in the cool night air.

Tying her shoelaces, she set off at a slow pace along the sidewalk.

She knew there was a park nearby—scenic and spacious, perfect for walking or running, much safer than the roadside.

When the pedestrian light turned green, Shu Yunyi crossed with the crowd.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of familiar numbers—357.

It was just a fleeting glance, and with the flow of people, she couldn’t turn back to check. Once on the other side, she stood on tiptoe to look.

The car’s make and license plate matched—it really was Shen Yi’s car, waiting at the red light.

But it was on the opposite side; even if she called out, he wouldn’t hear.

‘What’s he doing here?’

Her expression shifted slightly. After a moment’s thought, she pulled out her phone and texted:

"What are you up to?"

Shen Yi replied almost instantly,

"Driving. Waiting at a red light. Why?"

Shu Yunyi smiled, amused by her own baseless suspicion.

She typed back,

"Nothing, just wondering where you were."

"Oh... I’m in Shangyang."

Just as she was about to ask why he was there, another message came through:

"Can’t talk now—light’s green."

The cars surged forward as the light changed, Shen Yi’s among them.

Shu Yunyi looked up, her smile fading. Though she hadn’t gotten a clear look, she thought she’d seen a woman in the passenger seat.

‘Who was that? Cheng Jun?’

‘Is this what he’s been hiding from me?’

Memories of last night’s conversation suddenly flooded her mind.

Without hesitation, she flagged down a taxi and climbed in.

"See that Porsche up ahead?"

"The one with the license plate 357—follow it."

The driver blinked, then nodded and started the meter.

"Got it. Please fasten your seatbelt."

"I’ll do my best, but safety first."

He shifted gears, making it clear he wouldn’t risk reckless driving for a fare.

At the same time, his curiosity burned. But glancing at the woman in the rearview mirror, she didn’t seem the type.

He mused to himself,

‘Someone this pretty chasing a cheating husband? Unless this is some cop drama?’